Michael Stark discusses what is new and what has changed about Rick Droit's  approach to songwriting.

Q: How big a part does the acoustic guitar play in your songwriting process?
RD:  A big part, however I actually write the lyrics first as poetry and then pick up the acoustic and work out a tune that fits the theme and try to convey the feel of the subject matter. I've played electric guitar in several earlier bands I formed but I really love the clairty and tone of the acoustic guitar.

Q: What inspires you to write?
RD:  There are many things that inspire me such as the compassionate things people do,  the beauty of the natural world, the blunderings of those in power, the plight of the underdog. It really depends on the situation. Like the bards of old I feel motivated to tell the story of our life and times in this age and hope that I can bring some enjoyment to people who love acoustic music.

Q:You clearly enjoy the challenge of performing with just you and an acoustic guitar.
RD:  Absolutely, I played electric for several years when I was just out of college, but I really enjoy the organic nature of a fine acoustic.

Q: Because of the intimacy?
RD:  That's right. There is a closeness and warmth with the acoustic that is unparalleled and I can take it just about anywhere.  You don't have to worry about tweaking knobs and adjusting the tone as you do with the electric, and growing up with my folks who played bluegrass, folk and swing, it just seems to be more a part of my heritage. Not to mention I am very drawn to Celtic music having a strong Celtic heritage.

Q: So after the success of Laughing Like A Banshee, did anything change?
RD: Yes I started being asked to play colleges, benefits, listening rooms and the like. Also, demographics changed. Previously over 50% of my fan base were males, but after "Laughing Like A Banshee" it became
60/40 female/male, which is a great thing.

Q: So how did you get introduced to the Alvarez Yairi acoustic guitar?
RD: I had several guitars in my old Americana band "Indian Summer": a Gibson 12 String, an old Gibson Melody Maker, and an Alvarez artist series Jumbo Folk guitar which was my main guitar. One night when I was coming home from practice I had put the Alvarez in its case and placed it in the back of my pickup truck. I never did this but figured since I was driving straight home it would be okay. Then on the spur of the moment I made a pit stop to check on a performance date with a booking agent at a small club. I literally walked in the door and realized I had left the guitar in the back of the truck and walked right back out. Needless to say it was gone..someone who knew I was a local musician must have spotted me parking and when I returned the guitar was stolen. Having several gigs booked and after reporting the guitar stolen to the police who informed me that "it isnt like it is on TV, we'll probably never catch the guy who did it or find your guitar", I went the next day and bought my Alvarez Yairi. I was impressed by its quailty, being handmade with a solid spruce top, ebony fretboard and mahogany side and book matched back, it easily matched the Taylors and Martins.  I was also looking at the less expensive price. Jerry Garcia endorsed Alvarez Yairi at the time and played them onstage and in the studio so I happily chose a cutaway model with no electronics and have been quite happy with the guitar. With age it has even gotten a richer tone than when I first got it.  Even though its better quality than the one that was stolen, I still miss my old Jumbo folk guitar. . .and if the guy who stole it is reading this..shame on you. .bad karma..( laughs ) , I am currently in the process of getting a Martin six string cut-a-way which is something Ive wanted for a long time.

Q: Performing and writing music is clearly in your blood. What do you aspire to achieve now?
RD: I would love to get some of my music into films and television and am shopping some songs around Nashville to other artists looking for good material.  I think it would be cool to see how someone else would approach doing some of my songs as everyone puts a little of themselves into doing another persons song. I look forward to hearing that.

Q: Bearing in mind the music industry today, what advice would you offer a new musician or artist?
RD: Just write the best songs you can, draw from personal experience and don't worry about industry trends. Songs that have stood the test of time largely ignored what the fad of the day was and in many cases
became the fad of the day for sticking to their original sound.  The Beatles were turned down by countless record companies that didn't think their unique sound was marketable. Also, don't worry about your website
so much, concentrate on your writing and playing skills.

For live performances Rick uses a Shure 58. He plays his acoustic through a variety of amps including a Crate Acoustic Amp, a Fender Sidekick and a Vintage 1960's Ampeg. Rick currently uses 2 Alvarez Yairi acoustics live, a cutaway dreadnought and his new 12 string model. He also uses a Carvin Acoustic guitar with a Fishman EQ,  a late 1800's Holdrio Piccolo Mandolin, JBL PA Speakers and Honer Pro-Harp Harmonica's.